Press Releases And Other Statements

MALDEF PRESENTS CLOSING ARGUMENT IN CASE DEFENDING RIGHTS OF TEXAS SCHOOL CHILDREN

Feb 8, 2014 | ,

AUSTIN, TX – Today at 2 pm CST, MALDEF will present closing argument before the Travis County District Court in Austin, showing that the Texas public school finance system remains inequitable and inadequate. Last year, Travis County District Court Judge John K. Dietz held that the system was arbitrary, inequitable and inadequate under the Texas Constitution, citing gross inequities for property-poor school districts and failures of the system for low income and English Language Learner (ELL) children.

TRIAL BEGINS IN MALDEF EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION SUIT AGAINST ORANGE COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Jan 23, 2014 | ,

SANTA ANA, CA – On Tuesday, January 28, 2014, in a suit against the city of Westminster, California, MALDEF will commence trial, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California before the Honorable David O. Carter, to defend the rights of three accomplished Latino police officers who were consistently denied coveted promotions and special assignments because of their national origin. After filing complaints in 2010, the officers experienced severe workplace retaliation from superiors in the form of written reprimands, superfluous internal affairs investigations, negative reviews, and suspension.

MALDEF RETURNS TO COURT TO DEFEND RIGHTS OF TEXAS SCHOOL CHILDREN

Jan 18, 2014 | ,

AUSTIN, TX – On Tuesday, January 21, 2014, MALDEF will return to court to demonstrate that the Texas public school finance system remains inequitable and inadequate. In a MALDEF victory for Texas children early last year, Travis County District Court Judge John K. Dietz held that the system was arbitrary, inequitable and inadequate under the Texas Constitution, detailing gross inequities for property-poor school districts and failures of the system for low income and English Language Learner (ELL) children. Last June, before issuing his final judgment, Judge Dietz decided to reopen the evidence and hold a supplementary hearing to examine the effect of legislative changes to the state’s educational system that were made after his initial ruling.

MALDEF WELCOMES INTRODUCTION OF BIPARTISAN VOTING RIGHTS BILL, SEEKS NECESSARY IMPROVEMENT

Jan 17, 2014 | , ,

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, former Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), ranking Judiciary Committee member John Conyers Jr., D-Mich., and a bipartisan contingent of lawmakers introduced HR 3899, the Voting Rights Amendment Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives. Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick J. Leahy, D-VT has filed identical legislation in the Senate.

MALDEF POSITION ON NEW JERSEY BALLOT QUESTION

Oct 31, 2013 | , ,

Last November, the Latino community and its allies exercised a substantial and oft-remarked impact on the presidential election, resulting in renewed federal interest in addressing the policy priorities of the Latino community. At the same time, the growth of the Latino voting community has caused some to introduce and implement practices to deter and even prevent voter participation. One of the most important responses to such efforts is to ensure that every eligible voter takes the time and makes the effort to participate in every election, so that we see the same high levels of participation in off-year elections as in presidential elections. Even in this odd-numbered year, there are critical decisions of leadership and policy on ballots in many states across the country. Today, MALDEF releases its position in support of an important measure on the ballot in New Jersey. Perhaps this endorsement will help to make a decision on the measure, but what is always most important is that every voter decide and VOTE.

MALDEF ASKS COURT TO BLOCK NEBRASKA FROM DENYING DRIVER’S LICENSES TO YOUTH PROTECTED UNDER FEDERAL DACA PROGRAM

Jul 25, 2013 | , ,

LINCOLN, NE-Today, MALDEF’s Midwest Regional Office in Chicago filed a motion for preliminary injunction in a U.S. District Court in Nebraska. MALDEF asked the court to stop the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) from enforcing the policy and practice of denying driver’s licenses to immigrant youth whom the federal government has authorized to remain in the United States under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) program. The injunction would remain in place during the pendency of a lawsuit MALDEF filed in Lincoln, Nebraska, on May 31 of this year, challenging the DMV’s policy and practice.